GEORGE BULLOCK.

The wise man is always for some solid good, civil or moral: as to make his country more virtuous, preserve her peace and liberty, employ her poor, improve land, advance trade, suppress vice, encourage industry and all mechanical knowledge.-William Penn.

Without doubt the most eminent and extensive manufacturers of textile fabrics in Montgomery county, if not in the State, are George and James M. Bullock, of West Conshohocken.

George Bullock was born of English parents in Philadel phia on the 9th of March, 1830. Being well educated in his native city, at an early age he entered his father's countinghouse, where he continued until reaching his majority. Having acquired some capital of his own through enterprises managed during his minority, he was taken into his father's business in 1851 as a partner, under the firm name of Benjamin Bullock & Sons. His father, who had been some years in the wool trade, died in 1859, and in his will indicated a wish that the business should be continued under the title of Benjamin Bullock's Sons, naming the subject of this sketch and his two brothers as executors. George Bullock took the lead in the management of the concern, and in the progress thereof the firm became possessed of the woolen mill and water power on Gulf creek, near Conshohocken, from which the celebrated Bethel Moore had retired just before the commencement of the Southern rebellion. The war having opened in April, 1861, an immense demand for army clothing arose, which the Bullock brothers undertook to fill to the utmost of their ability. Their being at nearly the head of the wool trade of Philadelphia gave them unbounded facilities, and they filled one contract after another for regulation cloths and flannels, running their mills day and night with double sets of hands. These engagements amounted to millions of dollars, and were filled with such scrupulous fidelity that they took the lead from the start as the clothiers of our armies in the field.

In May, 1871, George Bullock withdrew from Benjamin Bullock's Sons, in the Philadelphia concern, and in conjunction with his younger brother formed the firm George & James M.

Bullock, in the woolen manufacturing business alone. At this time, or shortly before, by procuring the best machinery and making improvements to their works, they at once entered upon the manufacture of the finer descriptions of broadcloth and doeskins. In this branch of industry the establishment has a high reputation all over the United States. "Bullock's cloths and doeskins" have a specific character with the cloth trade, as fabrics usually have which are sold and known by a copyrighted label.

In addition to the works at West Conshohocken, the Messrs. Bullock purchased and now operate the woolen mill formerly owned by Hunter & Kershaw, in Norristown. Both these -establishments give employment to several hundred hands, and they have kept in motion almost constantly through the long continued commercial prostration since 1873. This fact speaks volumes for their standing as business men and the growing reputation of their goods. Still further, during all these years of depression and depreciation of prices, the public have learned of no discharges or disputes arising from the matter of wages.

It is often charged to the discredit of some large manufacturers that they fall into the habit of regarding their workmen as the mere mechanical instruments of their business, for whose comfort or welfare, beyond their wages, they are in no sense responsible. It is a pleasure to be able to say that with this class of employers Mr. Bullock has no sympathy. It is only necessary to mark the air of comfort, convenience, and even elegance, surrounding the dwellings of his employes, to see that Mr. B. desires his workmen to feel that they are "at home." A brief walk through the mountain dale in which his great works are located will show that he has spent much of his profits in public and private improvements. On the hill-side, far above his mill, he has dammed a mountain spring, affording his works and people the purest of hydrant water, and securing the mill and other property against destruction by fire. His own elegant mansion, standing upon an elevation near, has been also provided with every comfort and needful ornament. Of Mr. Bullock's concern for the welfare of his employes

and neighbors, it may be further stated that he has founded quite a library and lecture-room for their use, and a very successful and spirited literary society is maintained among them. During the summer of 1878 he purchased a steam pleasure yacht for their enjoyment, to run on Plymouth dam between Conshohocken and Norristown. Besides these benefactions, Mr. B. subscribes liberally to the support of Balligomingo Baptist Church, though not a member, and there is scarcely any object that appeals to public charity or the public welfare that does not have Mr. Bullock as a patron and liberal contributor. It is doubtless through his public spirit that West Conshohocken has been rected into a borough. He has even accepted the office of Burgess of the same, a post involving more responsibility and expense than honor.

Mr. Bullock has always belonged to the Republican party, and taken a lively interest in public affairs. In 1864 he was the Republican nominee for Congress from our district, but not elected in consequence of the adverse party majority. He was again tendered the nomination for the same place in 1872, but declined, when, owing to a division of the opposition, his election would have been assured.

Some years ago Governor Hartranft appointed Mr. Bullock a member of the Board of Public Charities, and at the expiration of his first term reappointed him, a trust he still fills.

On the retirement of Hon. Alan Wood, Jr., from the Presidency of the First National Bank of Conshohocken, Mr. Bullock was elected to fill the vacancy, a post he still holds.

Mr. B. was married in 1857 to Josephine, daughter of Samuel Wright, of Philadelphia.

In recapitulating, Mr. Bullock may be characterized as a man of great administrative ability, pushing with energy and success whatever he undertakes. His liberality and public spirit are unbounded.

[NOTE. The author will be excused for any trivial inaccuracies that may be seen in the above sketch, for though Mr. B. subscribed liberally, he failed to supply the memoranda.]

REV. CHARLES COLLINS, JR.

Tongue cannot describe the love of Christ; finite minds cannot conceive of it; and those who know most of it can only say, with inspiration, that it “passeth knowledge.'” -Payson.

Charles Collins, Jr., was born in Philadelphia on the 1st of February, 1823. His paternal grandfather, Abraham Collins, came from England about 1764, and married Alice Mills, a "public Friend" at Mount Holly, New Jersey. These were the parents of Charles Collins, Sr., who was born February 4th, 1785, and who died at the residence of his son Charles on the 11th of January, 1872. His wife was Eleanor, the daughter of Captain John McMinn, who fought bravely through the Revolutionary war.

They were married in November, 1808, and their offspring were three sons: William S., who died January 15th, 1852, aged thirty-seven years; Charles, the subject of this notice; and John M., attorney-at-law, Philadelphia. Mrs. Eleanor Collins died of pneumonia on the 29th of May, 1855, aged sixty-six years.

At the age of fifteen, an incipient consumption being developed, Charles Collins, Jr., was induced to sail for the benefit of his health on a trading vessel to the West Indies, visiting most of them, but remaining longest at Barbadoes, St. Thomas, Jamaica, and Cuba. After staying in the tropics two years, he returned to his studies with renewed health, pursuing a regular classical course, including the languages, at the Philadelphia Collegiate Institute. At the completion of the term, as he was preparing to enter Lafayette College, his health again failed. Being advised by his physician, he sought a home for a year among the mountains of Pennsylvania at Bellefonte, Centre county. A year and a half later, under much depression on account of poor health, he again left for the West Indies, remaining through the winter on the south side of Cuba. Returning to Philadelphia partially restored, he was induced, much against his will, to abandon further studies for the present, and enter permanently into mercantile business. This he did as a shipper of produce from the West Indies. Having a considerable knowledge of the countries with which his vessels

traded, he was successfully engaged for nearly ten years in commercial affairs, still having a purpose and desire, however, to enter the gospel ministry as soon as health permitted. The time thus employed was not lost on his mind, as it was a schooling in actual life that has been of great value in his chosen profession.

In 1855, finding his health restored, he abandoned a lucrative business and resumed his studies. Having early been indoctrinated in the faith of the Presbyterian church, he renewed the study of theology, and on the 29th of June, 1858, at Philadelphia, was licensed to preach the gospel. Without waiting to be ordained, he commenced to labor as an evangelist, organizing the Whitefield Mission in that city, and labored there a number of years, having also a large Sabbath school. He had been for many years previously organist and musical director in one of the prominent city churches. After thus humbly serving the Master for a time, on the 29th of May, 1862, he was again examined, ordained and set apart to the work of the gospel ministry, the latter ceremony taking place at Philadelphia on the 29th of June of the same year. The remainder of that and the entire following year he supplied the pulpit of the Second Presbyterian Church of Norristown, and part of the next year that of the church at Manayunk. In 1864 he spent some time as an evangelist in western Pennsylvania, adding largely to his knowledge of men and things away from great centres of population. In August, 1866, he was invited to preach two Sabbaths at Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church, a congregation that was very much enfeebled in numbers and influence. In November he began to labor there regularly, and uninviting as was the field, with another church of the same order about a mile above and Norristown adjacent, he preached regularly until 1871. In the succeeding year a marked revival of religion took place, adding nearly a hundred to the membership, which had previously been reduced to a small number. Such manifest divine favor following his ministry, he was now called in due form, and installed pastor by the Presbytery of Philadelphia North, preaching regularly thereafter with continued increase of congregation.